President Pranab Mukherjee extended Diwali greetings to the countrymen hoping that the festival of light serves as a catalyst for "greater unity within our country". In his message, Mukherjee said: "On the joyous occasion of Diwali, I convey warm greetings and good wishes to all my fellow countrymen in India and around the world." Source: IANS﻿

10-Nov-2015Politics

Kerala ruling front legislator George quits assembly

Kerala ruling front's estranged legislator P.C. George announced his resignation on Tuesday that would be handed over to state assembly speaker N. Sakthan. The 65-year-old Kerala politician and six-time legislator George is currently suspended from the Kerala Congress (Mani) for his constant attack on party supremo and state Finance Minister K.M. Mani.﻿ Source: IANS

10-Nov-2015Science and Technology

Intex launches smartphone at Rs.10,390

Domestic handset-maker Intex Technologies on Tuesday launched another smartphone Aqua Super at a price of Rs.10,390 in a further expansion of its series of 3GB RAM phones. The 4G-enabled phone comes with a 5-inch HD IPS display and is powered by a 1GHz Mediatek quad-core processor. "Intex has always ensured superior quality products for its consumers. Keeping our customers in mind and the cluttered market of feature rich phone, the 3GB RAM Aqua Super will surely be a front-runner for performance and multi-tasking," Sanjay Kumar Kalirona, mobile business head, Intex Technologies, said. Source: IANS﻿

10-Nov-2015Others

Diwali celebrated in Tamil Nadu with traditional fervour

Diwali was celebrated in Tamil Nadu with children and adults bursting crackers and offering prayers. People had the special sesame oil bath and wore new clothes. There was a brief spell of rain early in the morning that slightly delayed the bursting of crackers. However, the sky soon cleared. "We got up early. After an initial round of cracker bursting we had our bath. Then the second round of cracker bursting started," J. Muralidharan, a public sector employee said. Source: IANS

10-Nov-2015Others

Madrassa teachers call off hunger strike after 40 days

The hunger strike by teachers of unrecognised madrassas from West Bengal, pressing for better pay and state aid, was called off on Monday after the state government accepted most of their demands, a representative of the teachers said. The strike was on its 40th day and was withdrawn at 4 p.m. "The state government has agreed to most of our demands including the inclusion of 495 madrassas under the state Madrassa Education Board. We will meet with the representatives of the state government on November 16 to discuss how the demands will be implemented," the representative said. Source: IANS

10-Nov-2015Others

Deep depression crosses Puducherry shore

The deep depression that was over the Bay of Bengal crossed the Puducherry coast affecting normal life, said the India Meteorological Department. According to the Tamil Nadu government, five people lost their lives due to rains. Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J. Jayalalithaa announced a solatium of Rs.4 lakh for the families of the five people. According to the weather department, rains are expected in many districts of Tamil Nadu.﻿ Source: IANS